Drivers traveling eastbound on I-670 over I-71 had better be on their toes next week.

The large flyover ramp that has been built as part of the I-71/670 interchange reconstruction
will open to traffic for the first time on Monday, and commuters will need to choose new lanes if
they don’t want to be forced onto I-71.

The new ramp will carry eastbound I-670 traffic over I-71 with no exit for the northbound
highway. A second span positioned to the south already carries I-670 traffic with access to
northbound I-71, but the Ohio Department of Transportation will route that traffic only onto
northbound I-71 until mid-November as it tries to train drivers to use the new bridge.

That means drivers approaching the interchange who want to continue on eastbound I-670 will have
to stay in the two left lanes, a reverse from the current traffic pattern. The two right lanes will
exit to I-71 in both directions. The far right lane will exit to Cleveland Avenue.

It boils down to this: Read the signs and take notice of the changes, said ODOT spokeswoman
Nancy Burton.

“Commuters who don’t normally read the signs will want to read them come Monday morning,” she
said in an email.

The $200 million interchange rebuild is nearing its final form, with all major traffic patterns
on the highway expected to be open in mid-November. Final touches, including a mural on the Long
Street bridge, a new road carrying traffic to I-71 and some work on surface streets, won’t be
finished until next year.

“This is a big milestone, but we have several more to go,” Burton said.

A tunnel that will carry northbound I-71 to eastbound I-670 still isn’t finished, and access to
westbound I-670 from northbound I-71 is still shut off, she said. Cleveland Avenue ramps to I-71
and eastbound I-670 will open in mid-November.

Opening the latter ramps will be significant for Columbus State Community College, spokesman
David Wayne said. The new bridge that is opening on Monday likely won’t affect students because
they primarily exit at Cleveland Avenue.

“We don’t anticipate any major impact from this change,” he said. “What will be a big advantage
for the college is when the entrance ramps from Cleveland Avenue to 670 and 71 south open.”